What should a good ergonomic chair have?

According to a recent study, 70% of Poles work in a sitting position every day. Spending at least 40 hours a week in a chair makes it extremely important to choose the right seat. For it turns out that an inappropriate or improperly adjusted chair can contribute to discomfort, localised back pain or neck stiffness. In order to mitigate this risk, it is becoming increasingly common to opt for a professional seat to ensure comfort and convenience while working. What is more, the solution is gaining popularity not only in home offices and rooms during remote work, but also in office environments. Such a seat is the ergonomic chair, whose structure, mechanisms and functionality are designed to provide maximum comfort during long hours of use. In the following article, we will look at the most important issues related to ergonomic chairs. What are ergonomic chairs in practice, what features do they have and what should a good ergonomic chair have?

What is an ergonomic chair?

An ergonomic chair is a seat which was developed for demanding users who spend many hours a day in front of a desk while working, studying or resting. This solution is currently extremely popular on the market, because, according to studies, we are working more and more, and more and more people are working in a sitting position every day. Consequently, ergonomic chairs are designed to minimise the possibility of sitting incorrectly, which in turn reduces the risk of postural defects, back pain or neck stiffness. Therefore, ergonomic armchairs are built in such a way that you can adjust the individual parameters of the seat according to your needs, preferences and body parameters. In addition, some chair models adapt to the user's movements while sitting, which increases comfort and convenience during use. It can therefore be concluded that an ergonomic chair is equipment that has been designed with the human body structure in mind and provides the highest possible comfort when sitting.

What to look for when choosing an ergonomic chair?

If you decide to buy an ergonomic chair, it is worth paying attention to several issues and factors which will ensure that the equipment you choose meets your expectations and preferences. In addition to appearance and design, we should focus on the proper contouring of the seat, as well as the adjustability of the most key elements of the chair.

Backrest height adjustment

An extremely important element in the context of choosing a good ergonomic chair is the possibility to adjust the height of the backrest. This makes it possible to adjust the seat to the user's height, as well as to ensure proper lumbar support. An additional advantage will be the presence of backrest inclination adjustment, which will make it possible to adjust the chair to the user's figure and parameters. This will make it possible to take proper care of our back and health. 

Profiled backrest

Another extremely important element that should be present in a good ergonomic armchair is a contoured backrest combined with a back against the seat. This will reduce pressure on the vertebrae and reduce muscle and tendon tension during use. Moreover, this solution ensures that the spinal column maintains an upright posture. It is also worth remembering to keep your back properly pressed against the backrest, so that correct posture can be maintained at all times. A backrest that resembles an S-shape is the most recommended. The presence and adjustability of a headrest will also be an advantage, as it will reduce the risk of excessive muscle tension in the neck area.

Presence and adjustability of armrests

The correct positioning of the back and the entire body is also ensured by the presence of armrests. Armrests provide adequate support for the elbows and forearms, making it significantly easier to work with a mouse or keyboard at a desk. Moreover, armrests allow the hands to rest during use, which significantly contributes to comfort and efficiency while working or studying. It is also worth mentioning that this element should be adjustable both in terms of height and also swivelling from side to side, making it possible to adjust this parameter to the silhouette and preferences of the user. In addition, armrests are responsible for relieving pressure on the elbow joints, shoulders and neck muscles. Many experts stress that the presence and adjustment of armrests is one of the cornerstones of a good and quality ergonomic chair.

Suitable and adjustable seat

Many people stress that the heart of any ergonomic chair is the seat. It is the seat that determines the correct posture during use and also determines the healthy and correct positioning of the whole body during work or study. In practice, it should be made of soft and comfortable materials, which ensure comfortable sitting for many hours during the day. In addition, the seat should be adjustable in depth, providing support ⅔ of the length of the thighs, thus relieving pressure on this part of the body. A properly adjusted seat also allows the backrest to be adjusted to the user's body build. It is worth remembering that the right seat fit is fundamental to maintaining correct posture while sitting.

Mechanisms supporting comfort

In addition to the possibility of adjusting individual parameters of the seat, it is also worth noting the presence of systems and mechanisms supporting a comfortable sitting posture. If you want to be able to lock the armchair in one of several available positions or rock freely, it is worth considering models and specimens with a built-in TILT mechanism. For those who appreciate armchairs that adapt to the user's movements, an armchair equipped with the SYNCHRON mechanism will be a perfect solution. In the context of choosing the right equipment, it is extremely important to familiarise yourself with all the mechanisms and functionalities offered, which can provide us with a more comfortable seat.

Workmanship and materials used

The last key issue related to ergonomic chairs is the use of suitable materials, both for the back and the seat, but also for the mobile base. It is advisable to focus on materials that are soft and will ensure comfortable and convenient working throughout the day. In addition, we should consider whether we prefer a solid material or whether we prefer breathable mesh or leather of natural or organic origin. The situation is similar with the mobile base - it should be made of robust and durable materials such as metal or plastic, which will ensure reliable and dependable operation for many years. It is also worth remembering to choose equipment from reliable and quality shops, such as Owell, to make sure that the ergonomic chair you buy will serve you for many years.

Why is it so important to buy the right ergonomic chair?

Sitting properly while working or studying is essential in terms of maintaining correct posture and back alignment. In this way, we will take care of our health and eliminate the risk of spinal defects, as well as significantly reduce the risk of injuries and pains in the lumbar region and other parts of the back. After all, as studies show, even ⅓ of sick leave is caused by pains due to incorrect posture while sitting. What's more, the right ergonomic chair will ensure maximum comfort and convenience when working or studying, which directly translates into our efficiency and productivity.

Ergonomic chairs at Owell

All the above-mentioned aspects and factors that determine a good ergonomic chair are available in the products available in our online shop. Depending on a given variant, they include adjustments of individual elements, and have technological solutions such as TILT or SYNCHRON, which enable the backrest to be locked in one of several available positions or the chair to rock completely and adapt to the user's movements. It is also worth mentioning that all ergonomic chairs available in our offer are of the highest quality and made of the best materials, thanks to which the purchased equipment will serve faithfully for many years. We encourage you to visit our online shop to find the perfect ergonomic chair for you and take care of the health of your back and spine.